Promising opening as Down pipped at post by Cavan

1 January 2019

AN experimental Down side just came up short against Cavan at Kingspan on Sunday, going down by the narrowest of margins.

Manager Paddy Tally handed debuts to several players as he looks to inject some new blood into the panel and he will be well pleased with what he saw.

Victory for Cavan marks Mickey Graham’s first as Breffni boss, having succeeded Mattie McGleenan in his home county last August before leading Mullinalaghta to a historic Leinster club SFC triumph earlier this month.

Down started on the front foot and Loughinisland pair Rory Mason and Aaron McClements, two of the new boys, eased the visitors into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead after only four minutes.

Niall Murray finally got Cavan on the scoreboard with a point in the fifth minute, but this was nonchalantly cancelled out by ‘keeper Rory Burns, who plays in midfield for Castlewellan.

Saval’s Pat Havern gave Down a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes, but Cavan registered the game’s next two scores through Stephen Smith to leave a point in it after 15 minutes of a free-flowing encounter.

A Havern free gave Down a deserved 0-5 to 0-3 lead with 20 minutes played, but Cavan goalkeeper Ray Galligan lofted over a 45’ to keep the home side exactly where they wanted to be.

Another Havern point restored Down’s two-point advantage, but as the game entered added time at the end of the first half, Cavan hit a bit of a purple patch and points from Pierce Smith and Ray Galligan sent the sides in level at the break.

Cavan blitzed Down at the start of the second half and were almost out of sight by the time Down responded.

Unanswered points from Ray Galligan, Ciaran Brady, Stephen Smith (free), Stephen Murray and Simon Madden made it 0-11 to 0-6 with 50 minutes on the clock when the visitors won a penalty which Havern converted past Galligan to bring his team right back into the frame.

Smith (free) and Saul’s Ciaran Harney traded scores to leave it a one-point game with five minutes left and Downpatrick’s Conor McGrady’s fine point ensured in nervy finish with Down carrying the momentum.

Jack Brady nudged his team back in front soon after coming on to replace fellow clubman Cadden and when McGrady looped over at the other end on 72 minutes it looked like they’d be sharing the points.

The home side fashioned one more chance two minutes later and it was Madden who came up trumps again to ensure a losing start to Tally’s reign in Down.

Cavan: Raymond Galligan (0-3, three 45s), Sean O’Connor, Padraig Faulkner, Conor Moynagh, Stephen Murray, Ciaran Brady (0-2), Mark Stuart, Michael Argue, Thomas Galligan, Martin Reilly, Niall Murray (0-1), Simon Cadden (0-1), Pierce Smith (0-1f), Stephen Smith (0-2, 1f), Conor Madden (0-2). Subs: James Galligan for T Galligan, Padraig Moore for P Smith, James Smith for Argue, Cian Mackey for Reilly, Jack Brady (0-1) for Cadden.

Down: Rory Burns (0-1f), Kevin McClorey, Ruairi Wells, Ryan McAleenan, Ryan Brady, Brendan McArdle, Ryan Johnston, Aaron McClements (0-1), Daniel McCarthy, David McKibbin, Conor Poland, Conor Francis, Jerome Johnston, Pat Havern (1-3, 1-0 pen, 1f), Rory Mason (0-1f). Subs: Conor McGrady (0-2) for McKibbin, Declan McClements for A McClements, Shane Annett for Kevin McClorey, Cory Quinn for Johnston, Ciaran Harney (0-1) for Ryan Brady.

Cavan 0-13

Down 1-9

McKENNA CUP

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